I have been prescribed Generic Anti Epileptic Drugs and have just suffered a severe breakthrough seisure which put me in hospital for two days. I believe this to be a result of using generic formulation. I was not consulted by either my G.P. or Pharmacist about the change or risks. Have I any Legal recourse.
eg. 12 years ago my Phenytoin was a red & white capsule. Now a white tab in blister pack. I have done a fair bit of reading on the subject from the Epilepsy Association and it does'nt read well.
2006-12-22 20:38:38 · 5 answers · asked by STEPHEN B 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Most of the information your received here has been very good. You can always contact an attorney, we all can, and it happens everyday. Hundreds of thousands of people with existing conditions still get sick after taking their prescribed medications... both brand name and generic. Statin drug takers who have heart attacks, insulin dependent diabetics with hypreglycemia, chemo patients with new cancers, the list goes on. You get what I'm saying?
There are A LOT of factors that effect that can trigger exacerbation or new onset of a condition. Stress, age, growth, drug tolerance, diet, temporary or new illnesses, and ANY change in medication, including the use of over the counter drugs, just to name a few. There's also always the few patients, who dispite their condition, are non-compliant about when and how much of their medication they take, as well as doctors who for whatever reason improperly medicate. LOTS of factors, and many don't have anything to do with what can be controlled by the drug, patient, or doctor.
Privious information is correct. Under chemical analysis the generic drug will map exactly the same as the brand drug. Sometimes they are even produced by the brand name manufacturor. Don't believe they're willing to give up all lower prices sales to another producer simply because they won't change packaging.
I've seen patients having seizures. Not a pleasant thing to witness, or care for, and most certainly difficult for the patient who experiences it. Two days in the hospital isn't any different than two days in jail to a lot of people. Especially when they haven't done anything wrong.
Bottom line is... you can contact a lawyer, but don't be surprised if the results aren't what you expect. If a doctor prescribes the proper dose of an FDA approved drug, for the right diagnosis, there is no negligence on their part. The same holds true for the pharmacist who dispensed the drug. That would leave the drug company and how to prove there wasn't any factor other than the drug that induced the seizure. How will you prove you took all doses, didn't change your diet, didn't take some over the counter drug, weren't otherwise ill, hadn't viewed seizure inducing visual material, weren't under stress, etc., etc, etc (meaning the thousand other questions the drug company's lawyers will respond with)? Get what I'm saying?
Hospital are filled with people who are suffering from exacerbations of existing drug treated conditions. None are happy. Many are in pain. All would like to be compensated. Many try. Very few ever win.
Hopefully, you're feeling better and are insisting your doctor write your prescriptions specifically for the drugs you trust.
Best of luck with health and all.
2006-12-22 23:22:46 · answer #1 · answered by IAINTELLEN 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better check what you really got. Phenytoin capsules come in 30 and 100 mg. I'm not aware that they make these in 'tablet' form.
I'm the 'king of cheap' and love to recommend generics. Phenytoin is one of the very few drugs that I prefer to stick with brand on.
2006-12-25 15:02:40 · answer #2 · answered by jloertscher 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why is it that your first reaction is to look for legal recourse?
This is the second time you've posted this question, you selected a Best Answer for the last one, and you commented that it gave sound advice, which I agree with.
Go back to your doctor and discuss it with him.
If you must, go talk to a solicitor...
2006-12-22 21:04:44 · answer #3 · answered by RM 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please see the web pages for more details on Hydantoin.
Hydantoin is used to synthesize the following anticonvulsants:
* ethotoin
* phenytoin
* mephenytoin
* fosphenytoin
2006-12-22 22:21:54 · answer #4 · answered by gangadharan nair 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so...
the pharmaceutical companies have fair deal of legal coverage
2006-12-22 21:02:59 · answer #5 · answered by sighspy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋